Hasta La Gadget!

The fight of the phablets continues, with LG rolling out the new Optimus Vu II to take on Samsung’s second-gen Galaxy Note II. The 5-inch Vu II keeps the unusual 4:3 aspect ratio of the original Vu – which we reviewed in Verizon LG Intuition form – but slims the bezels to make a phone that’s 7mm shorter and 5mm wider; there’s also VoLTE for voice calls over 4G in addition to high-speed data, and a new, second-gen “Rubberdium Pen 2.0″ stylus.

That new pen has a slimmer nib for more accurate handwriting, and is paired with LG’s Q Memo app for digital notetaking that can sync with an LG notebook and also be printed. Inside, there’s a 1.5GHz dualcore Qualcomm processor and 2GB of RAM running Android – version unspecified – along with a 2,150 mAh removable battery and memory card slot.

LG will offer a couple of more unusual accessories with the Vu II, including a wireless charging pad, and a “One Key” remote that, at the touch of a button, will make the smartphone beep just in case you’ve lost it down the back of the couch. The waterproof One Key also includes a multicolor LED, which flashes to show calls, messages, charging status, and other alerts.

In Korea, meanwhile, there’ll be integrated DMB digital TV reception, with the ability to view TV and other apps on-screen at the same time using the same system as in the Optimus G. There’ll also be Q Translator to translate  dozens of languages using the camera.

No word on when the Optimus Vu II might go on sale, nor for how much, at this stage.

LG Optimus Vu II arrives to battle Note II is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

It’s a silly name as smartphones go (and one that conjures images of lady-focused razors), but regardless, LG’s Intuition is now officially a member of Verizon’s lineup. The 4G LTE device, shown off today at the manufacturer’s launch event, is nigh unchanged from the South Korean model we reviewed this past July (known as the Optimus Vu). With a 5-inch 1,024 x 768 True-XGA IPS capacitive display, dual-core S3 CPU clocked at 1.5GHz, 8-megapixel rear camera, NFC, 2080mAh battery and that Rubberdium pen, the only thing separating this stateside iteration from its SK Telecom cousin is the skinned Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS onboard and $199 on contract price. So how does it fare in this Big Red debut? Follow along as we attempt to find what’s been lost, if anything, in translation.

Continue reading Intuition by LG hands-on: a pen-enabled competitor to the Galaxy Note for Verizon (video)

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile

Intuition by LG hands-on: a pen-enabled competitor to the Galaxy Note for Verizon (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Sep 2012 17:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The day of September 6th is gearing up to be a rather hefty one for Verizon: earlier we reported that the Samsung Galaxy Stellar is slated to launch on that date, and it’s also the day after Motorola unveils its latest lineup for Big Red. Why not throw in another device that we’ve heard so much about, such as the LG Intuition? Indeed, docs detailing the CDMA-clad Optimus Vu is now beginning to make the rounds in Verizon’s internal system — and its intended launch date is among the trove of treasures to be found within. According to the docs, we should expect to see the 5-inch device available online in time for the 6th, while all channels won’t be ready to go until the 10th. We can’t imagine that too many people will be upset over having to wait another four days, however.

In terms of specs, here’s what we can anticipate from the Intuition: Ice Cream Sandwich, a dual-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm MSM8660 (Snapdragon S3) processor paired with MDM9600 LTE modem and 1GB RAM, Gorilla Glass, a 5-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1024 x 768, 15 hours of talk time, 8MP rear camera with 1.3MP front-facing cam and no microSD expandable storage option. Ultimately, the Intuition is Verizon’s variant of the Optimus Vu, and boasts that commonality right down to the components and design — you won’t find much difference in specs, weight or dimensions between the two. We’ve compiled a few images for your enjoyment, so head below to see. As before, we had to be creative in how we treated these images to protect the identity of everyone involved.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile

LG Intuition 4G LTE may become available on Verizon September 6th originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Sep 2012 11:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infrared is making a comeback, and LG is hoping its new Optimus Vu II special edition – and a companion universal remote app – will earn it pride of place in the living room. Set to arrive in South Korea in September, the Optimus Vu II will control over 300 brands of TV, set-top boxes, A/V equipment and other technology, with the new QRemote app automatically recognizing when you’re at home.

When the Vu II figures out you’re connected to your home WiFi network, it automatically adds remote control shortcut buttons to its lockscreen. That way, even if your phone is locked, the rest of your family and your friends can use it to control your home entertainment system.

That addresses one of the main complaints about such multi-function gadgetry: making it convenient for several users often undermines security for one. Samsung has a number of tablets that offer universal remote features, for instance, but you’ll need to leave them unlocked – or tell everyone your PIN – if you want them to be able to access the control app itself.

LG hasn’t said much else about the Vu II, which implies the phone will be otherwise akin to its Vu sibling: big screen, somewhat odd 4:3 aspect ratio, and stylus support. No word on whether it will launch outside of Korea.

LG Optimus Vu II adds universal remote to the phablet mashup is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

If you can’t get enough of the adventures of the Joestars and their various progeny, then you’re in luck. NTT DoCoMo knows how to keep hardcore fans happy, releasing a limited run of 15,000 LG Optimus Vu with the phablet carrying custom wallpaper and illustrations from the creators of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure. Beneath the surface, it’s the same phone we’ve seen before — albeit with support for mobile TV standard Nottv. If you’re now throwing your yen at the screen, we’d suggest going to your nearest store on August 30th, because online sales are limited to 750 on that day and a further 750 on September 1st.

Filed under: Cellphones

NTT DoCoMo releasing limited edition JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure Optimus Vu originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 07:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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